Encomium
THE wind of sack kicking out some heads of ministries, parastatals and departments has intensified with seven losing their job. And many more to go…
Alleged to be on vengeance mission, out-going President Goodluck Jonathan is indeed firing and hiring, despite the fact he has only few days to vacate Aso Rock, the seat of power.
Though, President Jonathan is still very much in charge until May 29, 2015, his critics believe he’s settling scores with those who sabotaged his re-election even as he’s positioning some of those who sincerely supported his truncated presidential aspiration.
The gale of sack even started before the presidential election with the removal of Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) Gen. Luther Martin Agwai (rtd.) on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (retd.)
The SURE-P chair was sacked five days after he delivered the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s 78th birthday lecture.
General Agwai had, while delivering the Obasanjo lecture on Thursday, March 3, 2015, said change in the national leadership was inevitable and that the country’s leaders must accept it and move with it.
“In life, you find out that everything needs change, if that is what the community wants, what the people want, you must give it to them and as such, it becomes inevitable.
“You can have everything nice, but if you don’t have the right leadership to propel it, it cannot go anywhere. Integrity matters, doing what is good for the larger society, and not just what you want to do for a narrow society to please yourself,” he said.
Agwai entitled the lecture, “Imperatives of a national security framework for the development and progress of Nigeria.”
Though presidential spokesman Reuben Abati said the removal of the former Chief of Army staff was “In furtherance of efforts to continuously re-energise and reposition agencies of the Federal Government for optimal service delivery,” insiders claim he was fired because of his statement and closeness to former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Mr. Ishaya Dare Akau has since resumed as new Chairman of the SURE-P.
Jonathan had in February 2014 appointed Agwai to replace the pioneer SURE-P chairman, Chief Christopher Kolade who resigned his appointment.
Also on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, Jonathan sacked the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba.
He was replaced by Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, Solomon Arase as acting IGP with immediate effect.
Until his appointment as Mr. Abba’s replacement, Mr. Arase was the Head of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.
Mr. Arase holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Law, as well as Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Political Science and Strategic Studies.
He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence College.
Though there was no official reason for the sack of the 17th indigenous Inspector-General of Police, it is believed he was fired for working against President Jonathan in the 2015 general election. Abba was also said to be lobbying for extension of his office, while giving the president-elect a VIP treatment.
Jonathan continued with yet another sack on Monday, April 27, 2015 as he fired National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Femi Thomas.
The NHIS boss was replaced by Mr. Olufemi A. Akingbade.
Akingbade who hails from Ekiti State and holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science as well as a Masters in Business Administration was the General Manager, ICT in the NHIS until his new appointment.
Dr. Thomas is equally seen as a victim of a sort.
Chairman Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Suleyman Abdul Ndanusa has also been dropped by the Federal Government. Relived of his appointment last week, he was replaced by former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi.
Dr. Ndanusa probably lost out in a hire wire politics of replacing foes with Jonathan’s favourites.
On Monday, April 27, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Amb. Danjuma Nanpon Sheni was equally suspended. Ambassador Sheni was axed for series of diplomatic blunders. He was specifically punished for his handling of Nigeria’s diplomatic row with Morocco and unauthorised recall of Nigeria’s ambassador to South Africa in protest of the country’s xenophobic attacks of Nigerians living in the former apartheid enclave.
More heads also rolled on at Nigerian Ports Authority on Wednesday, April 29. The Federal Government kicked out the MD, Mallam Habib Abdullahi.
President Jonathan has also approved the appointment of Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero, the eldest son of the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero as his replacement.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, in Abuja on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 said the appointment of the new NPA Managing Director takes effect from Thursday, April 30, 2015.
That same Thursday, April 30, 2015, Director of Finance, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mr Tochukwu Bede Uchendu was sacked over “Appointment Irregularities” and alleged unapproved waiver of over one billion naira.
Mr. Uchendu’s sack was a follow up to a petition by the Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) dated March 23, 2015 and addressed to the office of the Head of Service.
The unions had alleged that the FAAN Director is a serving director in a company the minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka has interest.
“It is obvious that he may not be able to discharge his duties without fear or favor as he would have to contend with conflict of interests because of his ownership as a board member of Consumer Investment Limited, a company which the wife of the minister is also a serving director,” the union stated.
Uchendu’s sack which was contained in a letter dated April 27, 2015, and signed by the director of Human Resources, A. A. Tsafe, for the minister of aviation. It reads in part:
“I wish to refer to our letter reference number FMA/FAAN/7090/T2/105 dated March 13, 2015, on the above subject and regretfully inform you that the letter is hereby withdrawn pending the conclusion of the necessary due process on the matter. When that is concluded, FAAN, the appropriate authority, will issue you with a formal letter of appointment.
“We regretfully inform you that the letter (his appointment letter) is hereby withdrawn pending the conclusion of the necessary due process on the matter,” the ministry stated.
The letter directed Mr. Tochukwu Uchendu to vacate the office until an inquiry is carried out and a formal letter of appointment issued to him.
ENCOMIUM Weekly however, learnt that the FAAN Director’s sack was politically-motivated.
Though, President Jonathan is still very much in charge until May 29, 2015, his critics believe he’s settling scores with those who sabotaged his re-election, while positioning some of those who sincerely supported his truncated presidential aspiration.
UCHE OLEHI
